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The
SETAC Rachel Carson Award was initiated by the Society on the 25th anniversary
of the publication of Silent Spring.
Rachel Carson was a scientist and science writer who through her literary
skills increased awareness among the public for the natural world and potential
threats to that world. To this end, Rachel Carson was recognized as a
meticulous researcher who attempted to assemble and synthesize information and
make that information accessible to the public. She worked hard to be sure of
her facts. Her greatest mission was making the science accessible to a wider
audience.

Key
elements of the Rachel Carson Award are therefore:

A desire to help others understand and become more
aware of the natural world and appreciate the potential threats that anthropogenic
stressors may have on the integrity and functioning of that world

A demand for accuracy in assembling and using
scientific facts to present, support, and ultimately defend writings or
other forms of communication

A broad view of environmental issues that includes
habitat and physical impacts as well as chemicals

A recognition for the need for education

A desire to make science more accessible to the public

A voice for political change, even in the face of
controversy.

Past
Award Winners

Lars-Otto Reiersen, 2012

Timothy Flannery, 2008

Daniel W. Anderson, 2004

Edward O. Wilson, 2004

Theo Colborn, 2003

David Pimentel, 2002

Lucille F. Stickel, 1998

Richard A. Conway, 1997

Robert Bateman, 1996

Raymond Loehr, 1995

Jack Vallentyne, 1992

Sherwood Rowland, 1988

Eligibility:

Membership
of SETAC is not a prerequisite for this award, which is open to an individual
or a group acting to promote science, its accurate assembly and reporting, and
its accessibility to the wider public.

Nominations
Process:

Applications
are welcomed from individuals and groups nominating themselves as well as
applications submitted in support of a candidate or group other than
themselves. Applications should be made in a letter outlining the eligibility
of the nominee for the award. Curriculum vitae should be included plus a
supporting letter from a minimum of 2 additional sponsors explaining why they
believe the candidate or group should be considered for the award. Sufficient
information should be provided to facilitate an objective evaluation of the
nominee, hence evidence of the attributes of the nominee and the conduct of
activities embracing the elements of the award shown above must be provided.
The nominee or his/her nominator should provide evidence of the candidate's
effectiveness in influence and outreach through either a science citation index
review or other communication/media indicators (book sales, non-peer reviewed
articles, etc.)

Application
Instructions:

Applications
should be submitted electronically to the SETAC Office (setac@setac.org).
Application sent by mail of FAX will NOT be accepted. Candidates should ensure
that all emailed documentation is submitted together, either in a zipped file
or in a PDF.

Selection
Process:

Nominations
will be evaluated independently by members of the SETAC World Council Global
Awards Committee using a standardized score sheet. Candidates will be ranked,
and the committee will then discuss the outcome to determine the recipient. If
agreement is not reached by the committee, a resolution will be made by the
SETAC World Council.

Award
Procedure:

The
Rachel Carson Award will be presented at a SETAC World Congress. An appropriate
certificate or plaque is given to the awardee at the time of presentation. The
recipient may be requested to give a brief presentation, but this is at the
discretion of the President of SETAC. The Society will pay for the travel and
related expenses and will waive the registration fee of the recipient.